TOP 17 SPORTS ANIME THAT WILL TURN YOU INTO FANS
Growing up, I was never a fan of sports. I enjoyed participating in them, but simply watching never crossed my mind. I was very skeptical when one of my fellow anime-obsessed friends insisted I should watch Kuroko's Basketball, but decided to give it a try: and into the sports anime vortex I went. Regardless of whether you like sports or not, sports animes are immensely enjoyable because they are inspirational and thrilling in their depictions of the bonds that unite their teams, the intense focus and thirst that accompanies games and competitions, and the never-ending desire that their characters have to better themselves and become the best. Character development plays a huge role in sports anime and is manifested by the tree-like evolution of players: they grow, hit a plateau, choose another road, and the cycle begins anew. Sports anime like Haikyuu or Kuroko’s basketball will leave you gasping in excitement at the edge of your seats, while others like Tsurune will simply make you marvel at the art of animation and the beauty of the sport. I truly hope you will enjoy this list, which has been crafted for the pleasure of sports fans and newcomers alike.
+In no particular order:
1.ping pong the animation
ピンポン THE ANIMATION - PIN PON THE ANIMATION
Type of Sport: Table Tennis - Ping Pong
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Tatsunoko Production
Trailer: Link (Turn on subtitles)
Average episode length: 25m
Number of episodes: 11
Number of seasons: 1
2.run with the wind
風が強く吹いている - Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru
Type of Sport: Track and Field - Athletics - Running
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Production I.G
Trailer: Link
Average episode length: 24m
Number of episodes: 23
Number of seasons: 1
3.Haikyu!!
ハイキュー!! - Haikyū!! - Volleyball
Type of Sport: Volleyball
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Production I.G
Trailer: Link
Average episode length: 24m
Number of episodes: 74 + 4 OVAs [ONGOING: STILL AIRING NEW EPISODES]
Number of seasons: 4
4.Hajime no Ippo
はじめの一歩 - The First Step
5.BABY STEPS
ベイビーステップ - Beibī Suteppu
6.INITIAL D
頭文字D - inisharu Dī
Type of Sport: Street Racing (Yes, it’s a Sport, get over it)
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Studio Comet + Studio Gallop (First Stage)
Trailer: Link
Average episode length: 24m
Number of episodes: 26 (First Stage) 13 (Second Stage) 2 (Extra Stage) 24 (Fourth Stage) 14 (Fifth Stage) 4 (Final Stage)
Number of seasons: 4
7.Welcome to the ballroom
ボールルームへようこそ - Bōrurūmu e Yōkoso
Type of Sport: Competitive Dancing
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Production I.G
Trailer: Link
Average episode length: 22m
Number of episodes: 24
Number of seasons: 1
8.ahiru no sora
あひるの空 - Sora the Duck
9.Tsurune
ツルネ -風舞高校弓道部- Tsurune: Kazemai Kōkō Kyūdō-bu
Type of Sport: Martial Art of Archery (Kyūdō)
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Kyoto Animation
Trailer: Link [DUBBED]
Average episode length: 22m
Number of episodes: 13 + OVA
Number of seasons: 1
10.YURI ON ICE
ユーリ!! - ON ICE
11.chihhayafuru
ちはやふる
12.hanebado!
はねバド! - The Badminton Play of Ayano Hanesaki!
Type of Sport: Badminton
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Liden Films
Trailer: Link
Average episode length: 23m
Number of episodes: 13
Number of seasons: 1
13.Eyeshield 21
アイシールド21 - Aishīrudo Nijūichi
Type of Sport: American football
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Studio Gallop
Trailer: Link
Average episode length: 24m
Number of episodes: 145
Number of seasons: 1
14.Kuroko's Basketball
黒子のバスケ - Kuroko no Basuke
Type of Sport: Basketball
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Production I.G
Trailer: Link
Average episode length: 24m
Number of episodes: 75+3 OVA
Number of seasons: 3
15.yowamushi pedal
弱虫ペダル - Yowamushi Pedaru
16.days (TV)
デイズ - Deizu
17.ace of diamonds
ダイヤのA[エース] - Daiya no Ēsu
Type of Sport: Baseball
Studio + Other Works by Studio: Madhouse + Production I.G
Trailer: Link
Average episode length: 24m
Number of episodes: 126 + 5 OVA (Ace of Diamond) 52 (Ace of Diamond Act II)
Number of seasons: 2
THE FOLLOWING 3 ANIME SERIES ARE LISTED AS HONOURABLE MENTIONS
18.SLAM DUNK - 19.PRINCE OF TENNIS - 20.GIANT KILLING
I personally feel like they are masterpieces, but are either old - hence the animation depicting the sport is slow - or necessitate a pre-passion for the sport they depict. If you don’t particularly enjoy watching sport animes, to begin with, stick to the ones mentioned in the main list.